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Police are warning area residents to be wary of opportunistic scammers that have been committing fraud by claiming faux emergency situations involving family members.

The New Castle Police Department in Northern Westchester issued an alert this week following several investigations into complaints of fraud, where residents were contacted through phone or email regarding an emergency with a friend or family member.

According to police, the scammers fabricate a false narrative that includes accurate information with names and locations of friends and family. The fraudsters may also speak using general terms, while attempting to gather more personal information from the victim, through conversation. Police said that “in either case, a sense of urgency is created, by the scammers, in order to instill fear and confuse potential victims.”

“Scammers generally press potential victims to send money via money order, bank wire, or gift cards; and insist that such payment be made immediately. In many instances, victims have been told not to contact police.”

Police said that there are no such circumstance that would require payment in such a manner, unless scammers are behind it. If one is contacted, area residents have been advised to not send payment in such a form.

To avoid becoming the victim of a scam, police said that one should contact the person that is alleged to be in trouble and verify whether they are in need of assistance. The police can also be contacted if one is having trouble determining whether or not they are being scammed.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud has been told to contact investigators at the New Castle Police Department by calling (914) 238-4422.